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Here's how to get around full I-25 closure

I25 will remain closed until Monday morning. 9NEWS at 5 p.m. 08/10/14

Steve Staeger, KUSA 7:09 p.m. MDT August 10, 2014

Metro Denver doesn't even touch the top 30 when it comes to cities with the worst traffic, according to a traffic study 9NEWS obtained earlier this year. However, drivers stuck on Interstate 25 northbound near the Santa Fe flyover may disagree.(Photo: KUSA)

DENVER – If you plan on traveling this weekend, CDOT has a message: avoid Interstate 25 as much as you can.

The interstate will be closed in both directions between Santa Fe and US 6. The closures started Friday at 10 p.m. and will last through Saturday at 8 a.m. The road closes again Saturday at 10 p.m. and won't reopen until Monday at 5 a.m. Crews will begin setting closures approximately one hour prior to the full closures being implemented.

Northbound I-25 will detour to northbound Santa Fe Drive, continue north to 8th Avenue, west on 8th Avenue to Kalamath Street, and south on Kalamath Street to westbound US 6 to reconnect with northbound I-25.

Southbound I-25 will detour west on US 6 to Federal Boulevard, south on Federal Boulevard to 5th Avenue to merge onto eastbound US 6, and east on US 6 to reconnect with southbound I-25. There could also be delays along eastbound US 6 near I-25 with additional traffic following this detour route.

Crews will add a fourth lane to northbound I-25 in hopes of easing congestion. There is already enough room on the pavement, so crews will only have to draw new lines. They also plan on repaving the road during the closure and demolishing bridges near U.S. 6.

CDOT says the weekend closure will save the agency 20 construction days in the area.

If you plan on traveling this coming weekend, CDOT has a message: avoid Interstate 25 as much as you can. 9NEWS at 9 p.m. 08/03/14.

Full benefits of the additional lane most likely won't be seen until construction of a new US 6 and I-25 interchange wraps up in August 2015, CDOT said.

I-25 will be closed entirely during certain times this weekend between Santa Fe and 6th Avenue while crews work to add a fourth lane in the northbound direction to ease congestion. KUSA